We got him. We got Steve fucking Rocco.
If you know Jenkem, you know this is about as close to a magnum opus interview as there ever was. We would call it our swan song, but that insinuates we’re dying, and that couldn’t be further from the truth.
If this is somehow falling on deaf ears, let us give you some context. Steve, along with being a pioneer of 70s, 80s and early 90s skateboarding, owned World Industries, and with this company he spearheaded the street skating movement alongside some of the best skaters around at the time. They innovated new board shapes, drafted the blueprint on doing business and the fuck you attitude that skating still champions today.
Steve sold World back in 2002 and essentially “retired” from skateboarding. In doing so he turned into an elusive, mythical creature-esque character that kept his distance from the spotlight.
After years of cold calling and familiarizing ourselves with his voicemail, we were ready to give up. That is until Steve broke the radio silence and announced his return to skateboarding by joining Sidewalk Distribution, home of Jacuzzi Unlimited, Opera, and Slappy Trucks.
We pounced on this announcement, and after many years, were finally able to get Steve in on an interview, one where we recount the details of World’s glory days, the sale of the company, what the hell he has been doing since 2002 and what he’s bringing to the table in 2024. Damn this feels good to write. Raise a glass, ’cause we did it, baby.
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June 5, 2024 3:42 pm
Rocco should attack nike
June 5, 2024 3:45 pm
Great interview. Skateboarding needs more jerks.
June 6, 2024 3:14 am
shut up oldhead
June 5, 2024 4:55 pm
Congrats, Ian & team! Persistence pays off.
June 5, 2024 5:20 pm
a similar bet is how he got involved with sidewalk